Qatari beIN Disrupts Its Services in Egypt

CAIRO, Jan. 8 (SEE)- Qatari-owned beIN Media Group issued a notice to its Egyptian audience alerting them that broadcasting will be disconnected starting 8 January.

beIN declared, through twitter, that viewers could “continue to enjoy beIN CONNECT services on smartphones and other devices.”

Although beIN announced that this declaration is a result of a flopped deal with the Cable Network Egypt (CNE), yet various media reports count the step as a camouflaged political act by the Qataris to stir controversy in Egypt.

beIN MEDIA GROUP is unable to provide services on CNE as of January 8th, 2019 as a result of CNE refusing to agree reasonable commercial terms. Viewers in Egypt can continue to enjoy beIN CONNECT services on smartphones and other devices by visiting: https://t.co/GLVgoWXUsopic.twitter.com/fSaDfzXyMp

Egypt today was named the host of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, after 16 of the 18 federations voted for its bid against its lonely counterpart South Africa that scored a single vote as one federation declined to vote in.

Actually, the broadcasting of a number of African and European leagues in the Middle East is solely the right of beIN Sports TV Channels, that is owned by the group.

Meanwhile, CNE released a statement clarifying that discussions are on the way to resolve the dispute.

Since 2017, Egypt along the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain boycotted Qatar, accusing the tiny gulf country of shaking regional rest and supporting terrorism.